Sheltered housing set to close within three months

RESIDENTS living in sheltered accomodation in Burton have been told that they will have to move out within three months as it is set to close.

The Mail was informed by a relative from a current resident at the Abbeyfield Care Home in Newton Road, Winshill, that plans are now in place to close in three months time, although they have been assured that it will not close until the final resident has found somewhere to live.

Issues at the home were raised in February this year when bosses announced that it would be adapting some of its procedures after a Government agency highlighted problems with some of its accounting standards. As a result, it saw its governance rating downgraded by the Homes and Communities Agency as a result of weaknesses and gaps found in the way it records its accounts.

However the Abbeyfield Society, which runs the home, says that the ‘difficult decision’ to close has been made after struggling to attract new residents.

North West regional strategy manager Julie Bradbury told the Mail: “Our key priority at the moment is to find suitable accommodation for our current residents.

“We are working carefully with their relatives, as well as Adult Social Services and other local housing providers, to identify the best possible accommodation for them and will do everything we can to make their moves as seamless as possible.

“The house can accommodate ten older people but for some years now it has proved very difficult to attract residents. At current, there are just five residents living at Abbeyfield House.

“We will be meeting with our five members of staff regarding the closure, and they will be redeployed to other Abbeyfield houses where possible.

“This is a sad time for everyone who has ever been involved with this house in Burton but we have a duty to be responsible and to provide the best possible accommodation for people who live with us.”

It confirmed that the property will be put up for sale, with profits being reinvested elsewhere.